Talking to media about suicide

Suicide is a topic of legitimate public interest for the media to cover.

The media has an important role to play in influencing social attitudes to suicide and potentially the actions of vulnerable people. Research indicates that the way suicide is reported is significant, with some styles of reporting linked to increased rates of suicide deaths.

By learning how to work with the media, people involved in mental health and suicide prevention sector can help to ensure the right messages are being shared with the public.

Key points to remember when talking to the media about suicide:

consider the potential impact of the story and whether you should be involved

Talking to media about mental ill-health

The media is an important source of information for the community about mental health issues and plays an important role in influencing the way people think and act towards those who are affected by mental ill-health.

Those working within the mental health and suicide prevention sector often need to work closely with media to advance the messages of the sector or respond to issues in the community.

As sources for media stories, those involved with the mental health and suicide prevention sector need to understand the evidence potential impacts that media reporting about these issues can have.

Key points to remember when talking to the media about mental ill-health:

when considering whether or not to participate in the story, ask yourself: does it provide an opportunity to contribute to community understanding of mental health and mental ill-health?

National Communications Charter

The National Communications Charter (The Charter) is a unified approach to mental health and suicide prevention supports coordinated and consistent messaging around mental health and suicide prevention.

It is designed to guide the way organisations talk about mental health and suicide prevention, with each other and with the community.

Hosted on Life in Mind, a national digital gateway that connects Australian suicide prevention services and programs to each other and the community, it is a platform for knowledge exchange as well as sector leadership through collaboration and engagement.